Pages

Monday, August 4, 2008

I would go out tonight but I haven't got a stitch to wear

I have always considered myself a very lucky girl. My mum, the ultimate crafter, sewed and knitted all my clothes when I was growing up. Admittedly, mum was probably lucky in that she had a daughter who appreciated wearing home made things, but most years, for that one week of winter we got in North Queensland, I had a new knitted jumper to wear to the Townsville Show.

When I moved to Canberra, AKA Sweater Heaven, mum continued to knit for me until about the mid 90s when, I suppose, I resisted as hand knits were a bit passe and it was getting difficult as I would get the pattern and the yarn, send it to mum, she'd knit it up without having me there to measure it against, then she'd send it down and hope like hell that it would fit (it always fitted. She's a genius).

Last night some of the girls were over for our quilting night (where not much quilting gets done but a hell of a lot of knitting and crochet and coffee-drinking does) and I pulled out some of Mum's masterpieces.

Clever, huh? The reminiscing occurred because when I arrived home yesterday I was thrilled to receive this.Again, I got mum the yarn (some of Donni's Habu Baby Alpaca) and the pattern from Knitty, but it was up to her to find that one week of winter in Far North Queensland where it was comfortable enough to knit. Apparently winter happened last week.Mum tells me this pattern had her flummoxed for some time, and I made it worse for her when I told her it must be easy - 7000 people on Ravelry have made one. Oops. And then she asked me what the hell a stitch marker is, because she'd never heard of such a thing. I directed her to the instructions for doing what Bells did with hers, and she ended up knitting it that way. Seems the new way knitting patterns are written can bamboozle even those who have been knitting for more than 40 years and have done cables and complex fairisle work. Anyway, I love that Mum still knits for her non-knitting daughter. And I love that she knows I appreciate all the hard work that goes into her beautiful creations.Thanks Mum! xoxo

Timely post! I've been thinking about similarly showcasing some of my grandmother, Denise's knits for me. (I have kept every classic blocky 80's jumper) She has been knitting all her life and nothing is ever too complex for her - or too boring. Yet she thinks it quite amazing that I knit socks from the toe up. It's just a different mindset for us in the internet craft generation, with a lot more sources of info and examples about different approaches!

Wow your mum is an amazing knitter. My nana used to make jumpers and cardi's like that when we were younger. I'm just happy being able to knit a simple scarf...I amazed by the talents of others who make such amazing pieces!

Lots of applause for your Mum! What fantastic knitting. My mum knits, I crochet - sound familiar? My mum is having trouble with the way knitting patterns are written now too - maybe there is a difference between US and Australian terminology with knitting? LOVE the clapotis!